Gen Ye Myint - Chairman of National Security of Myanmar explaining to Pastor Timothy of the Democratic transition in which all the Ethnic States and Ethnic Premiers will be respected.
We prayed together with Burmese Army officials and some Karen leaders for peace between the Karen and Burmese, before leaving Rangoon.
Gen. Htain Maung and his family together with KNLA Army officers entering Tokawko area and gretting the people.
Gen. Htain Maung in discussion with his KNLA commanders together with Commander Maung Kyaw.
Major General Taw Lay negotiating the location in Takawko area to establish his troops and future resettlement of Karen Internally Displaced People in the 7th Brigade area.
Pastor Timothy marking down the landscape of the resettlement and established location.
Burmese Generals and their team together with Major Gen Taw Lay from the Karen Peace Force checking the landscape on the map to make sure that there will be no clashes with local villager’s land.
Gen. Lermu accompanied by Burmese Army officers come and check the location of the Tokawko Area.
A Burmese General is explaining to Gen. Lermu, Vice Chairman of KNU/KNLA Peace Council, and his team how they have chosen this area in Tokawko to be the place where the Peace Celebration will take place.
The Burmese Generals are also explaining to Gen. Lermu about the housing project planned for resettlement of the Karen in Tokawko, Nawtiyah City.
Gen. Htain Maung requested for the Pastor of Tokawko to commence the Peace Celebration in prayer honouring God.
Gen. Ye Myint supporting Gen. Htain Maung and his troops during the Victory of Peace ceremony between the Burmese and Karen.
Many thousands of Karen locals together with Karen leaders join together to celebrate peace.
Professor Dr. Simon Tha, his wife Dr. Rebecca, Dr. Paw Paw and many other Karen professionals and leaders from Rangoon also joined in the Peace celebration.
Gen. Htain Maung and his wife greeting many local Karen who were showing their appreciation of the peace process bringing great joy to many local Karen in Tokawko area.
Karen girls dancing a Karen cultural dance at the Peace Celebration.
Foreign guests together with Paste Timothy’s children were present at the Peace Celebration.
EU came to visit Gen. Htain Maung at To Kaw Ko.
EU delegation meeting with KNU/KNLA Peace Council led by Gen. Htain Maung at To Kaw Ko.
KNU/KNLA Peace Council Peace Force crossed the river to reach the place where President Saw Ba U Kyi and Gen Sankey were killed.
The atmosphere was silent. There were only a few houses. The area looked like it had been neglected for many years. As our party walked through the area, we sensed the spirit of our forefathers’ struggle for the freedom of our Karen.
This is where President Saw Ba U Gyi was shot and killed on the 12th of August 1950. Tokawko villagers placed rocks here to mark the place where President Saw Ba U Gyi was shot and killed.
For the first time in 58 years, 7th Brigade Commander Gen. Lermu, Field Commander Gen Taw Lay, Col Yin Nu, and Army officers, Pastor Timothy with his 2 eldest children, together with Pastor Saw paid official respect to the place where President Saw Ba U Gyi was killed. (24th July, 2007, 2:00 pm)
The burial site of Gen Sankey and his soldiers. Karen soldiers led by Gen Ler Mu pay their respect.
The first group to officially return and pay respect to our forefathers after 58 years of war with the military government.
As we walked through the area where these men were shot and killed, no one though that such a day like this would come. That after 58 years, our Karen soldiers would have the chance to return, regain the ladn and give respect to our forefathers. For us this is a miracle from God.
The newly developed Tokawko town.